English 10 Pre-IB Mythology Project

Part One

For this project, you and a partner will do the following:

1. Select one of the Greek-Roman myth sets from the list below and become familiar with the stories.
2. Find at least three myths from other cultures (not Greek or Roman) that are in some way similar or related to your first selection.
3. Do a comparison of the treatment given to the story or idea by the Greek or Roman myth and that of the other three cultures you study.  Document all sources correctly in MLA format.  You may give short summaries of the myths, but your main focus should be analysis and comparison.  Keep in mind Campbell’s Four Purposes of Mythology. 

Possible Topics:

• The creation of the world
• The creation of humans
• The adventures of Theseus
• The adventures of Jason
• The adventures of Hercules
• The adventures of Perseus
• Monsters—select any four: griffins, Cyclops, Maenaeds, Centaurs, Cerberus, Minotaur, Pegasus, Chimera, Sphinx, Scylla & Charybdis, Geryon, Hydra, Medusa
• Famous lovers—select any four pairs: Narcissus; Orpheus and Erydice; Selene and Endymion; Hyacinth and Apollo; Pygmalion and Galatea; Hero and Leander; Venus and Adonis; Amor and Psyche; Daphne and Apollo; Baucis and Philemon; Pyramis and Thisbe; Troilus and Cressida
• Famous Females—select any four: Atalanta, Pandora, the Graces, the Muses, the Fates, the Furies, Dryads, Naiads, Helen, Leto, Cassandra, Io, Leda, Hippolyta, Europa
•  Stories about the constellations or stars—select any four: Orion, Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus, Andromeda, Pegasus, Hydra, Chiron, Pleides, the North Star
• The underworld—the realm of Hades
• Places and things—pick any four.  Examples would be the labyrinth, the founding of Rome or stories about any of the Greek cities, oracles.

Paper Requirements:

•    Should be three-four pages.

•    Content should include:

1. Brief summary of the myth pattern you studied.
2. Comparison of the myths you studied.  Point out significant differences as well as similarities.  You may include charts if desired.  Document all resource material correctly! 
3. Works Cited page must be included in order for the paper to be complete..

Part Two

You and your partner will do one of the following in as creative a manner as possible:

1. Write a myth using the theme or main idea expressed in one of the myths you have studied.
2. Take one of the myths you have studied and rewrite it—as a satire, a parody, or from another perspective or point of view.
3. These may be presented verbally, dramatically, with accompanying music or artwork—wherever your imagination takes you.

Presentation Requirements:

•    Length: Not more than 15 minutes

•    Content: Brief description/summary of the myths you studied and any points of comparison and/or contrast that you found.

•    All group members must participate.

Final Note

•    Both parts of the project will be turned in as written work and will also be presented to the class. 

•    All written work will be turned in at the time of presentation. 

•    Order of presentation will be random so all work should be finished by the given date.

•    Some library and class time will be provided to work on this project. 

•    Please use your time wisely!

 Mythologyproject.doc